scholarly journals Cross-sectional investigation of insulin resistance in youths with autism spectrum disorder. Any role for reduced brain glucose metabolism?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melania Manco ◽  
Silvia Guerrera ◽  
Lucilla Ravà ◽  
Marta Ciofi degli Atti ◽  
Silvia Di Vara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
Central System ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brain Glucose ◽  
Brain Glucose Metabolism

AbstractThe autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder. Dysfunctions of the intermediate metabolism have been described in some patients. We speculate these metabolic abnormalities are associated with brain insulin resistance (IR), i.e., the reduced glucose metabolism at the level of the nervous central system. The Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is very often used in population studies as estimate of peripheral IR and it has been recently recognized as proxy of brain IR. We investigated HOMA-IR in 60 ASD patients aged 4–18 years and 240 healthy controls, also aged 4–18 years, but unmatched for age, sex, body weight, or body mass index (BMI). At multivariable linear regression model, the HOMA-IR was 0.31 unit higher in ASD individuals than in controls, after having adjusted for sex, age, BMI z-score category, and lipids that are factors known to influence HOMA-IR. Findings of this preliminary study suggest it is worth investigating brain glucose metabolism in larger population of patients with ASD by using gold standard technique. The recognition of a reduced glucose metabolism in some areas of the brain as marker of autism might have tremendous impact on our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and in terms of public health.

scholarly journals Implication of the Sensory Environment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Perspectives from School

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7670
Author(s):  
Ana Gentil-Gutiérrez ◽  
José Luis Cuesta-Gómez ◽  
Paula Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Jerónimo Javier González-Bernal
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
School Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Children With Asd

(1) Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently have difficulties in processing sensory information, which is a limitation when participating in different contexts, such as school. The objective of the present study was to compare the sensory processing characteristics of children with ASD in the natural context of school through the perception of professionals in the field of education, in comparison with neurodevelopmental children (2) Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study as conducted with study population consisting of children between three and ten years old, 36 of whom were diagnosed with ASD and attended the Autismo Burgos association; the remaining 24 had neurotypical development. The degree of response of the children to sensory stimuli at school was evaluated using the Sensory Profile-2 (SP-2) questionnaire in its school version, answered by the teachers. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences were found in sensory processing patterns (p = 0.001), in sensory systems (p = 0.001) and in school factors (p = 0.001). Children with ASD who obtained worse results. (4) Conclusions: Children with ASD are prone to present sensory alterations in different contexts, giving nonadapted behavioral and learning responses.

scholarly journals Brain Glucose Metabolism in Health, Obesity, and Cognitive Decline—Does Insulin Have Anything to Do with It? A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1532
Author(s):  
Eleni Rebelos ◽  
Juha O. Rinne ◽  
Pirjo Nuutila ◽  
Laura L. Ekblad
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Brain Glucose ◽  
Brain Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Systemic Insulin Resistance ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
18F Fdg

Imaging brain glucose metabolism with fluorine-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has long been utilized to aid the diagnosis of memory disorders, in particular in differentiating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from other neurological conditions causing cognitive decline. The interest for studying brain glucose metabolism in the context of metabolic disorders has arisen more recently. Obesity and type 2 diabetes—two diseases characterized by systemic insulin resistance—are associated with an increased risk for AD. Along with the well-defined patterns of fasting [18F]-FDG-PET changes that occur in AD, recent evidence has shown alterations in fasting and insulin-stimulated brain glucose metabolism also in obesity and systemic insulin resistance. Thus, it is important to clarify whether changes in brain glucose metabolism are just an epiphenomenon of the pathophysiology of the metabolic and neurologic disorders, or a crucial determinant of their pathophysiologic cascade. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding alterations in brain glucose metabolism, studied with [18F]-FDG-PET from metabolic disorders to AD, with a special focus on how manipulation of insulin levels affects brain glucose metabolism in health and in systemic insulin resistance. A better understanding of alterations in brain glucose metabolism in health, obesity, and neurodegeneration, and the relationships between insulin resistance and central nervous system glucose metabolism may be an important step for the battle against metabolic and cognitive disorders.

scholarly journals Parental evaluation of a revised autism spectrum disorder diagnostic process for children under 36 months of age

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-François Lemay ◽  
Shauna Langenberger ◽  
Scott McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Parent Education ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background The Alberta Children’s Hospital-Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic (ACH-ASDC) was restructured due to long wait times and unsustainable clinic workflow. Major changes included the initiation of pre- and post-ASD parent education sessions and distinct ASD screening appointments before the ASD diagnostic appointment. Methods We conducted a parental program evaluation in summer 2018 of the ACH-ASDC. We used a cross-sectional survey to evaluate key outcomes including parental satisfaction, and the percentage of families obtaining access to government supports and early intervention programs. Results For the 101 eligible patients diagnosed with ASD under 36 months of age 70 (69.3%) parents agreed to participate. The mean diagnostic age of the children diagnosed with ASD was 30.6 months (SD=4.1 months). There were no statistically significant age differences between biological sexes. Ninety-three per cent of parents felt that ASD educational sessions were useful, and 92% of parents were satisfied to very satisfied with the overall ASD diagnostic process. Ninety per cent of parents had access to at least one of the key resources available for ASD early intervention in our province following diagnosis. Parents reported a positive impact on intervention provided to their child in the areas of communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Conclusion Parents of children diagnosed with ASD expressed a high level of satisfaction with the restructured ACH-ASDC process. Implementing parent education sessions was well received and met parents’ needs. Parents were able to access intervention services following diagnosis and reported positive impacts for their child. Re-envisioning program approaches to incorporate novel strategies to support families should be encouraged.

A cross-sectional descriptive analysis of portrayal of autism spectrum disorders in YouTube videos: A short report

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica L Bellon-Harn ◽  
Vinaya Manchaiah ◽  
Lekeitha R Morris
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Short Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Youtube Videos

Professionals have expressed concerns about the quality of autism-related information available from Internet-based sources. The purpose of this study was to examine the source, content, usability, and actionability of autism spectrum disorder–related information contained in 100 different videos directed to families of children with autism spectrum disorder uploaded to YouTube. Upload sources were identified, and video content was coded. Understandability and actionability of the videos were examined using Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials. The collective number of views of the videos was almost 100 million. The length of videos was 691.17 min (i.e. 11.5 h) with the shortest video being 30 s and the longest video being 37.36 min. The YouTube videos related to autism spectrum disorder covered a range of issues, although much of the content was focused on signs and symptoms. No difference in content reporting was noted based on sources for most categories, although differences were noted in some categories (e.g. professionals mentioned diagnosis and resources more frequently). Poor understandability and actionability scores (i.e. below 70%) were reported for all videos regardless of video source. However, the videos generated by the professionals were superior in terms of understandability. Study implications and recommendations for further research are discussed.

scholarly journals The prevalence of insulin resistance in patients with β -thalassemia major at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Caroline Mulawi ◽  
Bambang Tridjaja ◽  
Maria Abdulsalam ◽  
Zakiudin Munasir
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Family History ◽  
Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Thalassemia Major ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family History Of Diabetes ◽  
History Of

Background Diabetes mellitus is a common complication in pa-tients with thalassemia major. Iron overload plays an important roleby damaging the pancreatic β-cell and the liver cell, with the con-sequences of insulin deficiency and insulin resistance. Family his-tory of diabetes mellitus is one of the critical factors for the devel-opment of glucose metabolism derangement. However, the patho-genesis of glucose metabolism derangement remains unclear.Objective To evaluate the prevalence of impaired glucose toler-ance, diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance in patients with β-thalassemia major treated in the Thalassemia Outpatient Clinic,Department of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital,Jakarta.Methods This was a descriptive cross sectional study conductedin May 2002. Forty-eight subjects aged 10 to 18 years, grouped bytotal volume of transfusions and family history of diabetes mellitus,underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum transfer-rin saturation, and insulin level examinations. Insulin resistancewas calculated from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concen-trations using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).Results One of 48 patients (2%) had impaired glucose toleranceat the age of 17 years. Diabetes mellitus occurred in three of 48patients (6%) at the age of 15.5 years in one patient and 18 yearsin two patients. Family history of diabetes mellitus was found in 2patients with diabetes mellitus and in the only one with impairedglucose tolerance. Insulin resistance was not detected in this study.Conclusion The prevalence of glucose metabolism derangementin patients with thalassemia major was low. No insulin resistancewas found in this study

scholarly journals Tensions in Maternal Care for Children, Youth, and Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233339362090758
Author(s):  
David B. Nicholas ◽  
Radha MacCulloch ◽  
Wendy Roberts ◽  
Lonnie Zwaigenbaum ◽  
Patricia McKeever
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maternal Caregiving ◽  
Recommendations For Practice ◽  
Care Demands

This study explored the experiences of mothers caring for an individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ranging from 5 to 25 years of age, and examined pervasive tensions in caregiving. Guided by ethnographic methods, a retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Interviews with 85 mothers were analyzed inductively. Prevalent tensions in maternal caregiving were identified: (a) difficulties obtaining, yet resistance to, an ASD diagnosis; (b) identified giftedness of the child versus notions of deficit imposed by others; (c) disability-related behaviors erroneously interpreted as ‘poor parenting’; (d) contradictory considerations in diagnosis disclosure; (e) the invisibility yet pervasiveness of ASD; (f) extensive need for, yet the lack of, accessible services; (g) ASD-related care demands versus other pressing responsibilities; (h) arguments for inclusive versus exclusive services; and (i) aims of nurturing independence versus managing safety risk. Tensions were heightened by insufficient supports relative to need. Implications and recommendations for practice and policy are offered.

scholarly journals Parents' perspectives on the value of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. e004786-e004786 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Burgoyne ◽  
L. Dowling ◽  
A. Fitzgerald ◽  
M. Connolly ◽  
J. P Browne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Assistance Dogs
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